Kiefer Sutherland Officially Returns To Fox

The former '24' star will join Tim Kring's 'Touch' in the lead role.

TVLine is reporting that Kiefer Sutherland has signed on to star in "Touch," a new pilot written by "Heroes" creator Tim Kring. Sutherland will play a father who discovers that his mute and autistic son can predict events before they happen.

The rumors of Sutherland’s interest in the project began swirling last week. However, because Sutherland is currently starring in a Broadway revival of Jason Miller’s "That Championship Season," principal production on "Touch" won’t be able to start until early summer.

Fox will announce next season’s lineup in the middle of May, well before "Touch" wraps production. Potentially, it could mean that Fox is keeping it in contention for a midseason pickup. But it may also mean that it’s future as a series may already be assured, thanks in part to Sutherland’s long tenure on Fox during eight seasons of portraying Federal agent Jack Bauer on "24."

Outside of television, Sutherland has starred in several films, including "The Lost Boys," "Bright Lights, Big City," "Young Guns," "A Few Good Men," "The Vanishing" and "Phone Booth."

Kring is also making his comeback to TV with "Touch," with the pilot slated to be his first TV project since "Heroes" was canceled last year. Kring has also created "Strange World," "Crossing Jordan" and the internet based ARG "Conspiracy For Good."

Fox is reportedly speaking with Charles McDougall to direct the pilot episode of "Touch." McDougall has previously helmed the pilot episodes of "Desperate Housewives," "The Good Wife" and "The Chicago Code."